About the High School Huddle

Welcome to the Citizen-Times' constantly-updated blog for Western North Carolina high school sports. Features include breaking news, scores and stats, college recruiting updates and live blogs from some of the marquee games in WNC. Readers are encouraged to comment on posts, but personal attacks on current athletes, coaches and their families will not be tolerated and are subject to edit or removal at the moderator's discretion.

Markevis Davis knew when to pounce, much like his instincts on Friday nights.

The Asheville High rover said Tuesday that he will play football for Charlotte, becoming the first Western North Carolina senior to make a college commitment in the sport.

Davis already has 45 tackles (three for a loss) and two sacks to his credit for the Cougars (3-2) out of his hybrid linebacker/defensive back position.

Duke had also expressed interest in Davis. But the 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior said he didn’t want to forsake a scholarship offer from the 49ers, while he waited for the same from the Blue Devils.

“I had a mailbox full of letters and interest, and it’s really stressful when you’re in the middle of a season and you have to narrow it down,” Davis said.

“In the end, I didn’t want my parents to have to pay for anything, and with this full ride, they won’t. I didn’t want to lose that. I went on a visit (to Charlotte) about three weeks ago and it felt like a great place for me. They showed me a lot of love. The fans are dedicated and the facilities are great. It’s like the coaches told me, it feels like a sleeping giant down there.”

Asheville coach Danny Wilkins said that Davis’ athletic potential, as well as his academics and character, helped endear him to colleges.

“He’s a great kid and an excellent student,” Wilkins said.

“Markevis has really matured as an athlete and a player in the past year. He had a great Shrine Bowl combine and several folks got to see him there. Charlotte wanted him bad. He’s played everything from linebacker to safety for us. He’s got good speed and a lot of upside.”

Davis plans to major in sports medicine at Charlotte, which has a 3-2 record in its inaugural season of college football. Reynolds alum Mark Montini, who is a redshirt junior H-back, is currently the only WNC player on the 49ers roster.

Davis and the Cougars play their MAC opener Friday at Reynolds (3-3, 0-1).